Research Scientist II

Special Instructions to Applicants:Please attach the following in the Supporting Documents section of the application preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

• A one (1) page cover letter addressing your statement of interest and justification of qualifications/ experience for this role.

• A full CV.

• Two examples of your research work that you feel best illustrate the depth and impact of your career to this point.

• A list of three (3) potential references that can be contacted and their contact information.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston Texas Rice University is ranked among the nations top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system which supports students intellectually emotionally and culturally through social events intramural sports student plays lectures series courses and student government. Developing close-knit diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rices culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name RICE Responsibility Integrity Community and Excellence.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing:

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (U.S. News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty staff and students in an inclusive environment.
We seek greater representation of women minorities people with disabilities and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought; and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering is seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to join our world-class experimental laboratory housed in the Ralph S. OConnor Building for Engineering and Science at Rice University. The lab occupies over 6000 sq. ft. of dedicated space with fully equipped synthesis characterization and fabrication facilities maintained and operated by our research team.

In this role you will pursue cutting-edge research aimed at understanding and controlling complex oxide and nitride thin filmswith a focus on dielectric piezoelectric pyroelectric ferroelectric magnetic and multiferroic materials. Projects span the spectrum from fundamental materials science and physics to applied physics device fabrication and testing. You will have the opportunity to engage across these levels contributing to both foundational knowledge and real-world applications.

Our research is backed by a broad portfolio of federal agencies foundations and industry partners. Under the leadership of an expert Principal Investigator (PI) Lane Martin the group typically includes 1517 graduate students and postdoctoral addition Rice University maintains a vibrant expanding advanced materials community and provides access to extensive shared facilities through the Shared Equipment Authority.
We aim for the lab to become a world-leading center in functional materials researchproviding the opportunity for the Research Scientist to lead independent projects pursue their own funding and build a national or international profile in the field.
Key responsibilities will include conducting complex independent experimental research; managing multiple research projects and associated budgets; and ensuring a safe well-organized and efficient lab environment. The role is expected to include approximately 6070% research activity and 3040% laboratory management duties.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a skilled experimental materials scientist with strong expertise in thin-film synthesis characterization and processing of complex oxide and/or nitride materials. They are highly organized capable of independently managing multiple research projects and laboratory operations and eager to contribute to and grow within a world-class research environment.

Workplace Requirements:

On-campus position: This position is exclusively on-site necessitating all duties to be performed in person at Rice Rice policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $100000$106000
*Exempt (salaried) positions underFLSA are not eligible for overtime.This position is a one-year term-limited position.

Minimum Requirements:

• Doctoral degree

• 3 years of postdoctoral experience

Skills:

• High proficiency and comprehensive knowledge of information management knowledge management and publication management

• Possess a logical and independent mindset

• Excellent interpersonal skills such as patience determination flexibility and decisiveness

• Excellent listening verbal and written communication analytical and research skills

• Excellent scientific and numerical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy

• Ability to work in a team environment participate actively collaborate and motivate others in the lab

Preferences:

Technical skills/experience:

• Synthesis of complex oxide/nitride/related thin films (via PLD MBE sputtering etc.)

• Structural characterization of thin-film materials including laboratory and/or synchrotron-based X-ray scattering

• Scanning-probe microscopy (including AFM PFM KPFM and others)

• Dielectric/piezoelectric/pyroelectric/ferroelectric/magnetic/multiferroic device fabrication and property measurement in thin-film geometries

• Synchrotron-based studies of complex oxides including soft- and hard-X-ray spectromicroscopy

• Experience in cleanroom/nanofabrication-based processes producing device structures

• Experience with LabView and basic programming knowledge as well as various electronics (including troubleshooting)

General skills/experience:

• Hands-on experience in the relevant research area and with associated laboratory equipment

• Exceptional critical thinking research acumen and technical expertise

• Outstanding editing and presentation skills capable of engaging various audiences including researchers faculty staff and students from diverse technical backgrounds

• Exceptional time-management and organizational skills

• Commitment to promoting and upholding best practices in research laboratory operations

• Demonstrates adeptness with instrumentation displaying a rapid grasp of new experimental techniques and instruments to become proficient swiftly

Essential Functions:

• Manages complex research projects and related budgets

• Conducts independent experimental research supports ongoing laboratory studies and develops or refines new protocols methodologies and theoretical approaches

• Conducts complex experiments analyzes data using advanced techniques and interprets results to generate meaningful scientific insights

• Communicates the results of scientific research through papers conferences presentations etc. thereby actively working to improve the laboratorys reputation and scientific capabilities

• Maintains awareness of emerging technologies methods and developments relevant to the research area

• Develops supports the formulation of and/or writes research proposals to gain access to user facilities and obtain funding for research

• Organizes writes and otherwise plays a leading role in developing program reports and presentations related to the research

• Mentors supervises and trains undergraduate students graduate researchers and postdoctoral scholars on laboratory systems research topics and best practices

• Coordinates laboratory safety initiatives and serves as a primary point of contact for safety-related matters

• Promotes a safe efficient and collaborative work environment by training new members managing supply needs and coordinating routine equipment maintenance with superusers

• Provides institutional memory on core facilities hardware and methodologies to ensure continuity of effort and understanding within the laboratory

• Supports or leads the procurement and installation of major research instrumentation and equipment

• Establishes and maintains effective systems for communication regarding laboratory activities and operational status

• Ensures all research activities adhere to applicable safety regulations and ethical standards

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR Benefits: Mission and Values:Mission and Values Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation gender identity national or ethnic origin genetic information disability or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please contact Rice Universitys Disability Resource Center at or for support.

If you have any additional questions please email us at Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.